An analysis of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between the US and Iran. What does it mean for the future of world politics and how has it been reported on in the media?

Credits

Thanks to Michael Mullan-Jensen, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Vlad A Gouf, Fadi Mansour, Bennet Piater, Eric and Sir Galteran for supporting this podcast financially and therefore making it possible for me to produce it!

The theme music for the podcast is a track called Fight or Fall by Def Lev. Find out more about the show at fab.industries/podcast — new media, new rules!

See Also

• Punching Upwards 36: Dire Straits of Hormuz
• Punching Upwards 35: The Horror of Computerised War
• Punching Upwards 30: Aviation and the War in Iran
• Punching Upwards 26: Trump Falls Into the Smart Bomb Trap

Sources

1. Early details on U.S.-Iran deal announced by Trump, CBS News, 15 June 2026
2. Takeaways from Trump news conference on Iran deal, CBS News, 17 June 2026
3. “Humiliation”: Trump's Iran deal ignites backlash from Dems AND MAGA over “surrender”, MS NOW, 18 June 2026
4. Iran’s ballistic missiles not mentioned in agreement but Trump says they ‘have to have some’, NBC News, 17 June 2026
5. Trump says there are "no limits" to his power after Iran war, Axios, 19 June 2026
6. Trump says U.S.-Iran deal “complete” after months of negotiations, NBC News, 15 June 2026
7. Gulf recalibrates as Iran emerges intact from war, Reuters, 15 June 2026
8. Iran, Israel voice caveats on deal ahead of expected signing ceremony, CBS News, 16 June 2026
9. US, Iran sign preliminary Hormuz deal ahead of formal ceremony, South China Morning Post, 16 June 2026
10. Trump and Iran reach tentative deal to end war, reopen Hormuz, NBC News, 15 June 2026
11. Donald Trump's 12-point peace plan with Iran unveiled - including no concrete nuclear promise, The Mirror, 17 June 2026
12. What do we know about the US-Iran peace deal – and what questions remain?, The Guardian, 15 June 2026
13. What’s in – and what’s not in – the US-Iran peace deal, The Guardian, 15 June 2026
14. Read the 14-point memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran, Military Times, 17 June 2026
15. US and Iranian presidents sign deal aiming to end war. The BBC, 18 June 2026
16. World reacts to US-Iran deal to extend ceasefire, reopen Strait of Hormuz, Al Jazeera, 18 June 2026
17. Israel will not withdraw from southern Lebanon until security restored, Netanyahu vows, The Jerusalem Post, 18 June 2026
18. Senate Republicans raise alarm over Trump’s deal with Iran, The Hill, 18 June 2026
19. The Iran war Trump can’t politically escape, Daily Sabah, 18 June 2026
20. Trump took “sledgehammer” to security council before Iran war: ex-admin officials, AlterNet, 17 June 2026
21. “Worst foreign policy blunder in decades”: Republicans turn on Trump over Iran deal, The Independent, 18 June 2026
22. Trump’s MoU with Iran draws backlash from some Republicans, Al Jazeera, 18 June 2026
23. MAGA hawk mutiny deepens Trump's isolation on Iran, Axios, 17 June 2026
24. MAGA Erupts in Fury as Full Text of Trump’s Iran Deal Is Revealed. The New Republic, 17 June 2026
25. Israel and Hezbollah agree to ceasefire, US official confirms, The BBC, 19 June 2026
26. Trump Declares There Are “No Limits” to His Power, The New Republic, 19 June 2026
27. Iran to Waive Hormuz Fees During 60-Day Window, Plans to Impose Charges Thereafter, Outlook India, 19 June 2026
28. Netanyahu scheming to blow Trump's Iran deal: report, AlterNet, 19 June 2026
29. Why the Planned US-Iran Peace Meeting in Switzerland Fell Apart, Pravda Online, 19 June 2026
30. As deal takes force, Trump says “it’s okay” for Iran to have some ballistic missiles, The Times of Israel, 18 June 2026
31. US-Iran nuclear talks stall over Lebanon before they begin, Stars and Stripes, 19 June 2026
32. Iran-US war latest: Trump envoy heads to Switzerland for talks as deal under threat after Israel airstrikes, The Independent, 20 June 2026
33. Donald Trump signs the MOU in Versailles, tweet by Dan Scavino, 18 June 2026

The Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran (Full Text)

Paragraph 1

The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran and their allies in the current war, by signing this MOU, declare the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon, and undertake from now on not to initiate any war or any military operations against each other, and to refrain from the threat or use of force against each other, and ensuring the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Lebanon. The final deal will confirm the permanent termination of the war on all fronts, including in Lebanon, and other provisions of this paragraph.

Paragraph 2

The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran undertake to respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and to refrain from interfering in each other’s internal affairs.

Paragraph 3

The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran commit to negotiating and achieving the final deal in maximum 60 days, extendable with mutual consent.

Paragraph 4

Immediately upon the signing of this MOU, the United States of America will begin the removal of its naval blockade, and any disturbances or impediments against the Islamic Republic of Iran, and will fully end the naval blockade within 30 days. During this period, the traffic of vessels will be in proportion to the numbers of prewar traffic being restored by the Islamic Republic of Iran. The United States of America further undertakes to remove its forces from the proximity of the Islamic Republic of Iran within 30 days after the final deal.

Paragraph 5

Upon the signing of this MOU, the Islamic Republic of Iran will make arrangements, using its best efforts, for the safe passage of commercial vessels, with no charge for 60 days only, from the Persian Gulf to the Sea of Oman and vice versa. The traffic of commercial vessels will immediately start, and considering the needs for removing the technical and military obstacles, and demining by the Islamic Republic of Iran, will be instated within 30 days. The Islamic Republic of Iran will conduct dialogue with the Sultanate of Oman to define the future administration and maritime services in the Strait of Hormuz in discussion with other Persian Gulf littoral states in line with the applicable international law and the sovereign rights of coastal states of the Strait of Hormuz.

Paragraph 6

The United States of America undertakes with regional partners to develop a definitive, mutually agreed plan with at least USD 300 billion for the reconstruction and economic development of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The mechanism for the implementation of this plan will be finalized as part of a final deal within 60 days. All required licenses, waivers, and permissions needed for the relevant financial transactions will be granted by the United States of America.

Paragraph 7

The United States of America undertakes to terminate all types of sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran, including the United Nations Security Council resolutions. IAEA Board of Governors resolutions, and all unilateral US sanctions, primary and secondary, in an agreed upon schedule as part of the final deal. The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America acknowledge the critical importance of the sanctions termination issue above mentioned, and expressed their intentions to immediately address these issues in the negotiations in order to achieve mutual agreement on them.

Paragraph 8

The Islamic Republic of Iran reaffirms that it shall not procure or develop nuclear weapons. The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran have agreed to resolve the disposition of stockpile enriched material pursuant to a mechanism that will be mutually agreed upon in accordance with the schedule mentioned in paragraph seven with the minimum methodology to be down-blending on site under the supervision of the IAEA. The two parties also agreed to discuss the issue of enrichment and other mutually agreed matters related to the Islamic Republic of Iran’s nuclear needs, based on a satisfactory framework being agreed upon in the final deal. The final deal will confirm the provisions of this paragraph. The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran acknowledge the critical importance of the nuclear issues above mentioned, and express their intention to immediately address these issues in the negotiations in order to achieve mutual agreement on them.

Paragraph 9

Pending the final deal, the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran agree to maintain the status quo. The Islamic Republic of Iran will maintain the current status quo of its nuclear program, and the United States of America will not impose any new sanctions and will not deploy additional forces in the region.

Paragraph 10

The United States of America undertakes that immediately upon the signing of this MOU and until the termination of sanctions, U.S. Department of Treasury will issue waivers for the export of Iranian crude oil, petroleum products, and derivatives, and all associated services, including banking transactions, insurances, transportation, etc.

Paragraph 11

The United States of America undertakes to make fully available for use the frozen or restricted funds and assets of the Islamic Republic of Iran upon the implementation of this MOU. The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran will mutually agree on the procedures related to the release of these funds during negotiations. Such funds, whether obtaining the original account or transfer, shall be made fully usable for payment to any ultimate beneficiary designated by the Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The United States of America undertakes to issue all necessary licenses and authorizations accordingly.

Paragraph 12

The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran agree that an executive mechanism will be established to monitor the successful implementation of this MOU and the future compliance of the final deal.

Paragraph 13

After signing this MOU, and subject to the beginning of the implementation of paragraphs 1, 4, 5, 10, and 11 of this MOU, and the continuing implementation of these measures, the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran will start negotiations regarding the final deal exclusively on the other paragraphs.

Paragraph 14

The final deal will be endorsed by a binding UNSC resolution.

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